Top 100 Countdown: 36. Mason Katz (LSU)

College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the 2013 college baseball season by checking in on the Top 100 Players in the country. We will be adding players day-by-day until we get to number one!

Number 36 on our Top 100 Countdown is Louisiana State’s Mason Katz. The 5’10 first baseman from Harahan, Louisiana was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2012.

As a freshman Katz appeared in 23 games for the Tigers, eight of which he started. He posted a batting average of .318 with 11 runs, two doubles and 5 RBI. During his sophomore season, Katz started 50 games for LSU, 38 in right field and twelve at first base. He was hitting .337 with 40 runs, 21 doubles, two triple, four home runs and 53 RBI.

In his junior season, Katz made 64 starts both at first base and in the outfield. He batted .320 with 15 doubles, one triple, 13 homeruns, 52 RBI and eight steals.

From a scouting perspective, Katz is not only a tremendous power hitter, but also a strong defensive player. His extreme athleticism and excellent instincts make him a playmaker at first base. In addition to his consistency, as he’s batted over .300 every year at LSU, his power at the plate makes him an offensive force that gives excitement to any batting order. The combination of offensive and defensive success makes Katz one of the top returning seniors in college baseball and one of the top players to watch for in 2013.